ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix Champion Giorgio “The Doctor” Petrosyan appreciates all the love that he’s been getting from fans and pundits alike, who have bestowed upon him the label of the Greatest Of All Time in kickboxing.
But he’s not focused on labels, he’s focused on building a legacy.
This Friday, 26 February, Petrosyan gets a chance to add to his growing list of achievements when he takes on another World Champion, Davit Kiria, at ONE: FISTS OF FURY in a three-round kickboxing match at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
“I am honored that the fans label me as ‘the GOAT,’ but I try not to think too much about it. I want to focus on my next opponent and keep building my legacy one opponent at a time,” Petrosyan told ONEFC.com.
“All the best talent in my division has joined ONE Championship. I think it is the logical consequence of the great work done by our promotion, which is now the top in the world. I am happy and thrilled.”
Against Kiria, he’ll face a man he conquered nearly a decade ago, but he expects this match to be tough nonetheless.
He knowns his Georgian opponent has grown leaps and bounds since that fateful meeting, but Petrosyan has never stopped improving either, making this an explosive rematch in Singapore.
“I know [Kiria] really well. I met him nine years ago in Rome. He is tough, but I am 100 percent ready for the battle and I am sure it is going to be a great fight,” Petrosyan said.
“Since the last time we met, we both have become better fighters. I have a lot more experience. Physically, I am stronger. My desire to win has remained the same, so I can say I am better in every aspect.
“He has improved a lot. I have watched many of his fights. He was fighting in another promotion, but he beat tough opponents. As I got better, he did the same.”
Moreover, given Petrosyan’s stature in the sport, Kiria is not the only man who’s gunning for him.
Talks of a superfight between him and reigning ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nong-O Gaiyanghadao have gained steam lately, particularly since the Thai superstar called him out in December 2020.
Petrosyan has no problems taking on everyone – even Nong-O – but he wants to get past Kiria first.
“I saw [ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion and kickboxing contender Nong-O Gaiyanghadao] calling me out after his win, and I was already training for him. Then the plans changed, so for now, I do not think about our match,” Petrosyan said.
“My first objective is to win against Davit on February 26, and then of course I would love to have the chance to fight for the World Title.
“I’ve trained hard for the match and I am ready. I believe in my work and in myself, so I think I can beat him.”
Catch ONE: FISTS OF FURY this Friday, 26 February, on One Sports and One Sports+ at 8:30 p.m. It will also air simultaneously for free on the ONE Super App.
TV5 will air the show on a next-day delay at 11 p.m. PHT on Saturday, February 27.
Also, catch your local entrepreneurs competing in a high-stakes reality TV show in the upcoming “The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition” this March.
